Got it.

“What happened when you got to the room?”

“There were women there. They were there to play, you know?”

She didn’t know. “Did Craig stay to hang out?”

“Yeah, he was there, too. It got kinda wild,” he said, looking sheepish. “Everyone was doing something with someone.”

“When did the pills enter the picture?”

“He started handing them out after the sex. He and the women took some, too, so we figured it was okay.”

“Did the three of you actually discuss whether you should take the pills, or did you just take them?”

“We kind of looked at each other and shrugged as if to say hey, they’re doing it, so why not?”

Idiots, she thought, but being stupid didn’t mean they deserved to die.

“Why did I live when they died?” he asked as tears ran down his face.

“Hard to say,” Sam replied. “You could’ve gotten a lesser dose than they did.”

“Of what?”

“Fentanyl, probably.”

“Jesus. I’ve heard about that stuff. We never would’ve gone anywhere near something like that.”

It was too late to tell him that by taking anything provided by a stranger, they were risking much more than they bargained for.

“I’ll be right back.” She stepped into the hallway and called Captain Malone.

“What’s up?”

“This investigation just took a turn. I think someone is deliberately poisoning people with fentanyl-laced pills.”

“Why do you say that?”

Sam told him about how Smith and his friends were lured to a hotel room with a promise of a party and free drugs. “They had women waiting to seduce them, and when everyone was well satisfied, they started handing out free pills.”

“What’s in it for the dealer?”

“I’m not sure yet, but this latest incident was deliberate. He lured them upstairs to give them laced pills.”

“It sure sounds that way.”

“Cruz has gone to the hotel to get the security film from the bar and to get the name of the person who reserved the room. I’m hoping for a break. Finally.”

“Cruz asked me to get a warrant for the security film, which I’m working on now, and Haggerty’s team is on their way to the hotel to work the scene.”

“Thanks. I have to head home after this to get ready for the wake, but I want to be kept in the loop.”

“I’ll keep you posted.”

“Thanks, Cap.”

“See you at the wake.”

“Thanks for coming.”

“Of course I’m coming. I’ve known Angela since she was a baby.”

“Means a lot to us.”

Sam ended the call and went back into the room. “Can you give me contact info for the families of Tommy and Jesse?”

He reached for his phone on the tray and poked around his contacts. “Tommy’s wife is Catherine with a C.” He recited her address and phone number. “Jess was single. His mom still lives in Shaw.” He gave her the contact info. “Will you tell them I’m so sorry?” he asked, his eyes filling again. “Tell them I’m so damned sorry.”